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Detective in the White City: The Real Story of Frank Geyer
The remarkable true story of the uncompromising and relentless detective who investigated one of America's first serial killers, the man known as the 'Devil in the White City,' H. H. Holmes, and others like him.
This extraordinary historical biography provides a chronological account of Frank Geyer's life and features murder cases that made national headlines and the history of one of America's largest police departments, complete with 95 rare illustrations and photos!
"History like never before!"
Who was the world's famous detective who outsmarted criminals from the Gilded Age and whose wife and daughter never died in a fire, like scholars claimed?
Available in ebook, paperback, large-print paperback, and hardcover
This extraordinary historical biography provides a chronological account of Frank Geyer's life and features murder cases that made national headlines and the history of one of America's largest police departments, complete with 95 rare illustrations and photos!
"History like never before!"
Who was the world's famous detective who outsmarted criminals from the Gilded Age and whose wife and daughter never died in a fire, like scholars claimed?
Available in ebook, paperback, large-print paperback, and hardcover
434 pages, Hardcover
Published January 9, 2018
About the author
J.D. Crighton
2 books9 followersJD is the author of Detective in the White City: The Real Story of Frank Geyer and Holmes' Own Story: Confessed 27 Murders, Lied The Died. A retired Emergency Management professional, JD writes in the biography, history, true crime, and thriller genres and is a member of Biographers International Organization, Nonfiction Authors Association, and International Thriller Writers.
Praise for Detective in the White City:
"Crighton's narrative stays true to the time period, leaving the reader submerged in the late 1800's, from start to finish."
"19th Century Masterpiece!"
"History Lover's Dream"
"Noteworthy history of one of America's oldest police departments"
Connect with JD at:
web: www.jdcrighton.com
email: jd@jdcrighton.com
Twitter: @jdcrighton
Pinterest: jdcrighton
Praise for Detective in the White City:
"Crighton's narrative stays true to the time period, leaving the reader submerged in the late 1800's, from start to finish."
"19th Century Masterpiece!"
"History Lover's Dream"
"Noteworthy history of one of America's oldest police departments"
Connect with JD at:
web: www.jdcrighton.com
email: jd@jdcrighton.com
Twitter: @jdcrighton
Pinterest: jdcrighton
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 11, 2018
Wow! After reading Larson's book about H. H. Holmes and watching the American Ripper history channel show, I wanted to know more. I found an old book (at Library of Congress) the Philly detective wrote about Holmes. But I wanted to know more and found this gem. I agree with one reviewer who said the narrative stays true to the period from start to finish and leaves the reader submerged in the late 1800's...with rare pictures to boot. Crighton chronologically covers the detective's life, police career, investigations, and of course, the H. H. Holmes investigation from Geyer's point of view.
March 13, 2018
Fantastic!
Wonderful book......couldn’t put it down when I started reading it. If you like detective novels or murder mysteries.....you will love this real life account and pictures of his cases.
Wonderful book......couldn’t put it down when I started reading it. If you like detective novels or murder mysteries.....you will love this real life account and pictures of his cases.
April 16, 2018
This book was recommended to me by our local history guru and boy, I must say it did not disappoint. I loved reading about the era when the detective grew up and especially about his cases! Crazy that the police department at that time (in Philadelphia) was so political but I guess that was par for the course.
July 27, 2018
Written by a relative?
This book showed some promise at first. It soon became clear that the author would insert Detective Geyer into almost any criminal case he could. I felt that leading people to believe that Geyer played any kind of prominent role in the conviction of the "Devil in White City" serial killer, H H Holmes, was very misleading. I read the book, and I don't remember Geyer's name mentioned; although perhaps it was in passing. I am a Homicide Detective 's daughter and I know what my Father 's chosen profession exposed him to; well, I know the tip of the iceberg.... and it's a terribly depressing, sometimes rewarding job... as we hear, it's a dirty job but someone has got to do it. Thank God they do. However, in this book we learn pretty much nothing about Frank Geyer and what makes him tick. I have NO idea why an entire chapter was devoted to Frank going "undercover" in Rio de Janeiro in order to catch a white collar bank fraudster. Frank not only failed, but the whole "crime" was pretty boring. We read about some very gruesome crimes, for sure, but the way women are depicted in this book not only shows us how much times have changed, but how much a woman could get away with it she happened to be from a decent family and somewhat attractive; as opposed to being close to forty and of " low intelligence, low moral character, or prone to fits every month. " I actually laughed out loud when so called professionals would give their diagnoses regarding certain "types." Toward the end, the author just ages Frank about ten years, tells us how stunning his daughter looked when she was married, and how wonderful and perfect his grandchildren were. As a matter of fact, the author wrote; " a special day was approaching! Frank and Mary's 23rd wedding anniversary! " SOOOOO?? It's a very juvenile way of writing, like a young teen writing about his grandfather or something. The spelling, grammar, punctuation and syntax are often just terrible. Embarrassingly so. However, if Frank Geyer is a great detective because he held onto his job, stayed out of politics, and helped dig up the remains of three of H.H. Holmes early victims..... then my Dad was the King of Homicide Detectives for all time. The book just.....ends! It's as if the author is thinking " did I miss ANYTHING? Was there a cat stuck in a tree and Frank saved it? No? Oh well! " You will read some amusing old time testimony, and some pretty funny "slurs" however. Don't read this book if it might bother you for someone to call you a " low down dirty cur. " Seriously, this book was pretty much a waste of time, but the photographs are interesting. Reading this might help if you suffer from insomnia, though.
This book showed some promise at first. It soon became clear that the author would insert Detective Geyer into almost any criminal case he could. I felt that leading people to believe that Geyer played any kind of prominent role in the conviction of the "Devil in White City" serial killer, H H Holmes, was very misleading. I read the book, and I don't remember Geyer's name mentioned; although perhaps it was in passing. I am a Homicide Detective 's daughter and I know what my Father 's chosen profession exposed him to; well, I know the tip of the iceberg.... and it's a terribly depressing, sometimes rewarding job... as we hear, it's a dirty job but someone has got to do it. Thank God they do. However, in this book we learn pretty much nothing about Frank Geyer and what makes him tick. I have NO idea why an entire chapter was devoted to Frank going "undercover" in Rio de Janeiro in order to catch a white collar bank fraudster. Frank not only failed, but the whole "crime" was pretty boring. We read about some very gruesome crimes, for sure, but the way women are depicted in this book not only shows us how much times have changed, but how much a woman could get away with it she happened to be from a decent family and somewhat attractive; as opposed to being close to forty and of " low intelligence, low moral character, or prone to fits every month. " I actually laughed out loud when so called professionals would give their diagnoses regarding certain "types." Toward the end, the author just ages Frank about ten years, tells us how stunning his daughter looked when she was married, and how wonderful and perfect his grandchildren were. As a matter of fact, the author wrote; " a special day was approaching! Frank and Mary's 23rd wedding anniversary! " SOOOOO?? It's a very juvenile way of writing, like a young teen writing about his grandfather or something. The spelling, grammar, punctuation and syntax are often just terrible. Embarrassingly so. However, if Frank Geyer is a great detective because he held onto his job, stayed out of politics, and helped dig up the remains of three of H.H. Holmes early victims..... then my Dad was the King of Homicide Detectives for all time. The book just.....ends! It's as if the author is thinking " did I miss ANYTHING? Was there a cat stuck in a tree and Frank saved it? No? Oh well! " You will read some amusing old time testimony, and some pretty funny "slurs" however. Don't read this book if it might bother you for someone to call you a " low down dirty cur. " Seriously, this book was pretty much a waste of time, but the photographs are interesting. Reading this might help if you suffer from insomnia, though.
April 21, 2018
I won an eBook version of this title from Goodreads Giveaways.
Years ago, I read and enjoyed the engaging "Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson. Therefore I was interested to read this book, which, as the title implies, focuses on Detective Geyer whose dogged investigation ultimately brought serial killer H. H. Holmes to justice. I found the "White City" reference a bit confusing, as Geyer was based in Philadelphia, not Chicago that featured so prominently in Larson's book.
This was an interesting read, diligently researched and annotated, and "set the record straight" with respect to some errors in Larson's work. As a visual reader, I especially enjoyed the abundance of photographs. However, I thought the book needed better editing. As other reviewers have noted, the structure and flow are sometimes a bit muddy. The narrative at times gets bogged down in detail (verbatim reportage of court transcripts could have been pruned and summarized). At times a misuse of a word ("collaboration" instead of "corroboration") or an informal, chatty phrasing was a bit jarring, and created a sense that I was reading a school research paper that lacked a strong narrative style such as Larson's.
Years ago, I read and enjoyed the engaging "Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson. Therefore I was interested to read this book, which, as the title implies, focuses on Detective Geyer whose dogged investigation ultimately brought serial killer H. H. Holmes to justice. I found the "White City" reference a bit confusing, as Geyer was based in Philadelphia, not Chicago that featured so prominently in Larson's book.
This was an interesting read, diligently researched and annotated, and "set the record straight" with respect to some errors in Larson's work. As a visual reader, I especially enjoyed the abundance of photographs. However, I thought the book needed better editing. As other reviewers have noted, the structure and flow are sometimes a bit muddy. The narrative at times gets bogged down in detail (verbatim reportage of court transcripts could have been pruned and summarized). At times a misuse of a word ("collaboration" instead of "corroboration") or an informal, chatty phrasing was a bit jarring, and created a sense that I was reading a school research paper that lacked a strong narrative style such as Larson's.
May 22, 2018
I just read this so it's fresh in my mind. This was an outstanding book! Set in the gilded age with wonderful details from that time, it is a historical, chronological account of Detective Frank Geyer with a sprinkling from his youth and his dad's civil war service and how his hometown was impacted by it. I liked how it really kicked into high hear when the detective started his law career and until his death when the world was slammed with Spanish flu (there are some really interesting facts about how it affected Philadelphia, PA at that time). I loved reading about Geyer's murder cases...and he had some pretty high profile one's too! Didn't realize he investigated the creepy HH Holmes. I learned about that guy on tv where his relative claimed he was jack the ripper (not sure about that). The Holmes case and other like the headless torso and the first woman executed were really interesting. I appreciated the research and all the pictures too. I would recommend this book to all history and true crime readers!
March 24, 2018
I won a free copy of this book from Goodreads First Reads.
I really enjoyed Devil in the White City and thought this would be kind of like the other side of the story. It was not. This was a hodge podge of stories that sometimes involve the detective. I couldn't swear to anything about his life besides he had a wife and daughter who didn't die. Things jumped all over the place and no anchoring background either. I was mostly just confused by what was happening and where.
I really enjoyed Devil in the White City and thought this would be kind of like the other side of the story. It was not. This was a hodge podge of stories that sometimes involve the detective. I couldn't swear to anything about his life besides he had a wife and daughter who didn't die. Things jumped all over the place and no anchoring background either. I was mostly just confused by what was happening and where.
July 11, 2018
Well written and kept my interest. I've read the Larson book and got interested in this event. This book likewise follows the investigation but excels with citations and sources. I do feel somewhat misled as Chicago was the White City due to the fair and Holmes actions on and around the Worlds Fair. Also this was the story of Frank Beyer the detective while H.H. Holmes one plays a minor segment of this book.
February 13, 2019
Biography of a honest policeman during the Victorian era in Philadelphia, Pa.
As a reader of hundreds of books each year and a fan of historical biographies I stumbled on this book about a Philadelphia detective who doggedly solved the serial murderer using the alias of H. Holmes. A very interesting reading and the author 's use of footnotes and family genealogy was intriguing.
As a reader of hundreds of books each year and a fan of historical biographies I stumbled on this book about a Philadelphia detective who doggedly solved the serial murderer using the alias of H. Holmes. A very interesting reading and the author 's use of footnotes and family genealogy was intriguing.
August 9, 2018
I found "Detective in the White City: The Real Story of Frank Geyer" to be an interesting, intriguing and well written book that I really enjoyed. I am always looking to reading "Real Stories" and this one did not let me down. I won this great book on GoodReads and like I do with most my wins I will be paying it forward by giving my win either to a friend or library to enjoy.
October 10, 2018
Very disappointing.
The stories could be fascinating if only the author had a little style. I stopped after 2 thirds of the book when I got tired of description of dead bodies, almost no intrigue to identify the murderers and their motives, and a sequence of cases with no connection from one to the other.
The stories could be fascinating if only the author had a little style. I stopped after 2 thirds of the book when I got tired of description of dead bodies, almost no intrigue to identify the murderers and their motives, and a sequence of cases with no connection from one to the other.
March 17, 2018
True story
I thought it was very interesting in the beginning but dragged after they found the missing children. However the author did do a lot research and I did like the pictures of the people and other photos.
I thought it was very interesting in the beginning but dragged after they found the missing children. However the author did do a lot research and I did like the pictures of the people and other photos.
March 26, 2018
A goodreads giveaway
An interesting story but the telling is very disjointed. The flow jumps around as it follows different cases with Geyer but some times it is difficult to tell which case or time is being talked about. Lots of background and references.
An interesting story but the telling is very disjointed. The flow jumps around as it follows different cases with Geyer but some times it is difficult to tell which case or time is being talked about. Lots of background and references.
April 26, 2018
Review
This book was interesting though I would have liked more about H.H. Holmes. It reads more like a research paper than an autobiography.
This book was interesting though I would have liked more about H.H. Holmes. It reads more like a research paper than an autobiography.
September 7, 2018
Boring!!
This is a waste of time book! Not well written.
Shallow stories line, and nothing to hold your interest. Not. One I finished. Nor would I recommend.mend it.
This is a waste of time book! Not well written.
Shallow stories line, and nothing to hold your interest. Not. One I finished. Nor would I recommend.mend it.
October 30, 2018
The content did not meet expectations. Some interesting tidbits, but that's about it.
January 26, 2020
I won this book via goodreads. (ps thanks goodreads)
Crighton's research was thorough, but the successful reading of this book's chapters on H.H.Holmes depends on the reader's foreknowledge of H.H.Holmes' crimes / reading The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America. I did appreciate how she traced Geyer's life with photographs and to his living descendants.
One could e-title this "Chicago Crimes of the late 1800s" or "Biography of Frank Geyer." The title is much more sensational than the actual book. Also, was there an answer to why everyone thought Geyer's family died in a fire? It didn't seem so.
3.0/5 for research and historical value, but not a page turner, nor something I'll read again in the foreseeable future.
Crighton's research was thorough, but the successful reading of this book's chapters on H.H.Holmes depends on the reader's foreknowledge of H.H.Holmes' crimes / reading The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America. I did appreciate how she traced Geyer's life with photographs and to his living descendants.
One could e-title this "Chicago Crimes of the late 1800s" or "Biography of Frank Geyer." The title is much more sensational than the actual book. Also, was there an answer to why everyone thought Geyer's family died in a fire? It didn't seem so.
3.0/5 for research and historical value, but not a page turner, nor something I'll read again in the foreseeable future.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews